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Quote: Originally Posted by margin123 Josie - hilarious description lol....I'm going to put my deposit next week on the Pronovias Gaudi dress..its got some mexican flavor ! Pronovias Wedding Dresses - Style Gaudi [Gaudi] : Wedding Dresses, Bridesmaid Dresses, and Designer Wedding Dresses Absolutely stunning!!! I looooooove that dress.

Quote: Originally Posted by suzannepdc My ILs travelled back to the airport in a van with people that went to a wedding at another resort down there - not only were there 3 weddings at the same time, but one was right near a pool bar - that was still open! That's pretty much my idea of a nightmare...

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Yes its private - its like an open air hallway with white marble floor. I have seen gorgeous pix online of it. I think in Google photos.... I made 2 CDs for ceremony songs. 1 for rain and 1 for shine. The rain one, we walk down after the ceremony to an acoustic version of Rhianna's "Umbrella" song. At least then I wont be totally devestated! Here is one pic I found: Picasa Web Albums - mandy - Azul Beach Oooh thanks for the picture! That is really beautiful...I didn't realize it would be "open air"...that makes it so much better IMHO. And I'm planning on having a few "relaxing" cocktails before I trample on down the aisle, so hopefully I won't care if people are watching And I love your idea of the "Umbrella" song if it's raining...soo clever, and beautiful! But of course you won't need to use it because it will be beautiful sunny blue skies

Quote: Originally Posted by taylorwd BTW for the AB brides, the backup rain location is actually quite beautiful. That is SUCH a relief!! Not that I'm thinking of anything other than beautiful blue skies, of course Is it private? I really hate the idea of looky-loos staring at the ceremony. The whole point of a DW for me was not having a bunch of people I didn't know very well gawking at me and making me break out in hives, so it kind of defeats the purpose if it's not private! Oh, and I'm so excited for your review!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by mexbride83 Bonnie - I love the dress but agree that a high neck may feel too hot in that Mexican sun. Mermaid dresses in general are very hot! Because you don't get the air flow that a dress that sits away from the body will give you. But the mermaid style fits me perfectly, and the A lines just didn't seem to do anything for me. So I'm just going to suffer in the heat, haha. Although I do plan to find a fun short dress to change into after dinner! My wedding isn't on the beach, so I'm getting great heels to go with this dress and to show off with my short dress for the party part:) My dress came in WAY under budget, so I've gotten the okay from my parents to get Louboutins! I'm so much more excited to shoe shop than I ever was to dress shop!!! Louboutins...you go girl! Those shoes are HOT! Now, if only the soles were blue instead of red...then you could get your something new and something blue in one fell swoop! I didn't even try on the mermaid style, because I knew it would make me look like a prize heifer at the county fair. I'm more of a empire-waist girl, because they hide my trouble spots I decided yesterday that I'm definitely going to do a BD shoot for FI's wedding gift. I was kinda hesitant about it at first because I am NOT at my goal weight, but I was looking around on the internet superhighway yesterday, and I found an amazing photographer in Seattle whose pictures would blow Sean out of the water. So I'm going for it. I probably won't do the shoot until November, so I've got 6 months to lose 25 pounds. I can do this!

Suzanne...your pictures are so amazing! That photographer was worth every penny I'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful wedding, and am so frustrated for you that they tried to mess up your reception venue. I just. don't. get. why they have to make such a big deal about the "size" of the party, especially since they only do one wedding per day and it shouldn't matter which location you use. Right? It's not like it's going to be reserved for another bride! On a side note, I'm getting the photography thing figured out, which is a HUGE relief. I also decided that I am for sure doing a BD shoot here in Seattle. My FI always jokingly calls me a "prude" and I want to prove him wrong! There's an amazing photographer downtown who will do a 90 minute shoot with a 40-page album (re-touching included) for $500. Seems expensive, but that's what I was going to spend on a wedding gift for him anyway, and this way we both benefit! Now...just gotta lose that last 25 pounds before November...AmyBermuda, I'm starting the 21-day eat clean diet on Monday!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda My friend ate chicken the whole time and added some pork here and there. Good deal. I could eat chicken till the cows come home (hehe) but fish and I do not get along. I think I'm going to start this next Monday...wish me luck! I still have 20 pounds to lose before my wedding...luckily, I've got some time

Hey ladies! Need advice. I'm thinking for my bridesmaids I'm just going to have them buy a dress in whatever style they like in a certain color (aqua blue). Would this look cheese-tastic? I'm trying to be laid back about the whole thing, especially because my bridesmaids are all different shapes/sizes and I don't want any of them to feel uncomfortable. Plus I want them to be able to wear the dress again after the wedding. Shoes are no biggie, we're all going barefoot...and for the groomsmen, I was just thinking white button up shirt with khaki pants. Anyone else doing it this way, or does the cheese stand alone? Hehe.

Anyone know of any substitutions for the fish? I really, really hate fish...I suppose I could just do lean chicken again, but that may get a little old after awhile!

Quote: Originally Posted by taylorwd Andrew, all valid points! It's extremely important to be sensitive to the locals, especially if you're trying to make a good name for yourself. I feel that you get what you pay for, especially for wedding pictures. It's hard to expect spectacular, take-your-breath-away pictures if you're not willing to pay for it. I have a horror story that hit too close to home for my brother. Long story short, he chose to splurge on having a live salsa band at his wedding and then skimped on the photographer. They went with a local up-and-coming girl who was trying to break into the wedding business. Turns out her camera malfunctioned and the shutter didn't open. And she didn't realize it They have NO WEDDING PICTURES after the ceremony, well except for the ones we all sent them from our own cameras! Terrible, terrible, worst-case scenario. Oh my lord...that is AWFUL!!! Seriously, your poor brother, that would absolutely break my heart. Andrew, I totally get what you're saying. I wouldn't necessarily feel right asking someone to take time out of their lives to fly to Mexico and follow me around for a few days, and then not pay them for that time. At the same time, though...the relationship with the local photographers is being put at risk by the resort's policy, not by you. Seems like it would be better suited for them to direct their ire at the resort. I'm still trying to work with Tiffany, so it's very possible I may make some headway from that avenue...we'll see. She's actually been very receptive to my complaints, which I'm appreciating Thank you ALL for your awesome suggestions...I don't know what I'd do without you ladies!

Welcome! I love your avatar picture...very romantic!

I would definitely enlist the help of a travel agent; they'll make your life much easier (or at least, a good one will)! Best of luck to you!

Have a great time looking at venues, and congratulations!

Congratulations!!!

Come on over to the Azul Sensatori thread under the Riviera Maya section. Be prepared to spend a LOT of time reading, as there are thousands of posts. Welcome!

You're a very helpful Aunt! Welcome to the forum

We'd only been dating a year and a half when he proposed...we'll be engaged a year next month, and getting married 7 months after that. We moved pretty quick!

Yep, lots of resorts offer add-ons for extra guests. It can get a little pricey, so make sure to ask the costs up front. Welcome to the forum!

Prepare to be addicted... Welcome!

Congrats! You'll definitely find tons of info on here, and become addicted like the rest of us!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Oh yeah I like Ivan's style too. So he is classified as Mexican b/c he works in Mexico & NYC? Did Azul know that he lives in Mexico? Not sure...I'm guessing probably they do, because he seems like a popular photographer down there and I would think other AB brides have tried to use him. I will say that he's willing to work with me to make it happen, which has definitely impressed me.

Quote: Originally Posted by herbie76 I'm a 2011 bride, I have just booked our wedding for August 2nd or 3rd waiting for confirmation of the date. We are getting married at The Sensatori Resort, Riviera Maya. We are going 24th July - 7th August. So far there are 13 of us going, with more booking soon. Will be great to hear from anyone who is getting married there. Welcome!! Do you mean you're getting married at Azul Sensatori? If so, there is a GREAT thread about it in this section. I am getting married at Azul Beach, which is a smaller sister resort to Sensatori. I've heard nothing but great things about both places. Welcome, and congrats!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Celina, who then did you want to use that the hotel won't let you? My cousin does wedding photography and charges very little b/c he is just starting out. Eric Wolfinger I am not selling him, I just showing you that there are options out there for budding artists! Good luck! PS - Yes, reading negative postings like that always worked me up to. Amy F was really good at making everyone feel better Too bad she's honeymooning now! Holy shmagoly his work is amazing!!! And yeah, I was interested in Ivan Luckie (thanks Wendy) whose work I love and he seems like such a nice guy, and his rates are super reasonable. I think I just need to take a few days and stop being such a drama queen about everything. You guys are so awesome for letting me vent my rage all over the place, and for the great advice. I bet Amy is totally laid out on the beach right now with a cocktail. Jealous!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by taylorwd Celina, AmyB makes really good points about brides on other threads all having one issue or another and wanting to switch resorts. The upside here is that Karisma brides walk away usually 100% satisfied after their weddings. Chin up, you've still got time to figure this out!! Also, I PM'd you with some suggestions. Thank you thank you thank you

Quote: Originally Posted by amybermuda Celina, I think we have all felt that one way or another - wanting to switch resorts. And a couple if us did. I felt like that a few times but the fact that everyone walks away happy from their wedding has kept me with Azul. Go on to the other chat groups on this forum and see the difficulties the other brides are working with and really - its pretty much all of the same thing we deal w/ Azul. And, those brides don't walk away 100% satisifed. You still have time to book and bring down a photog with you and I can guarantee that is cheaper than the other Mexican photogs that the resort does not allow you to use. For example, I am paying $4,300 for Claudia PLUS the $500 outside vendor costs (I booked over a year ago when she was still approved vendor). I know for a fact that you can get a US photog to stay at the resort and take pictures all day and a trash the dress the next day and it will cost you less than I am paying for 8 hours of Claudia. Who/what did you want? Elizabeth Medina would have been nmice but she is $6K plus you have to pay the $500 outisde vendor fee plus she makes you pay for one night at the hotel for her b/c its a long wasy for her to travel. So $7K later.... You could get a seriously awesome photograoher for that cost! Yeah, some of the photogs in the area are ridiculously expensive. Our budget for photography is $2k, max, and that's even pushing it...it just doesn't seem like with a $500 plane ticket, plus $500 hotel cost (and honestly, I'm estimating there...it could very well be more with the rates out now) that only leaves $1k for the photography package, and I don't think I'd be able to get a very good package for that. Sigh. I know I'm kind of being a baby about this. I think the thing that galls me the most is that I feel rail-roaded into using their photographers, who really aren't that great. Plus I just got done reading the "Boycott El Dorado" thread which got me fired up all over again. I really don't want to switch resorts. I love Azul Beach and it sounds like everything else is exceptional, it's just this one rule that's totally bumming me out. I'll start looking around for US photogs who may be willing to fly there and work with me on the package options...wish me luck!